Bun never expressed an interest in taking photos earlier, unlike other kids. But this Sunday, he very politely (unusual) asked to take a picture of a cloud, a tree and of J and I. Of course I said yes. Like aproud parent, I present Bun’s first photo set.
Photos are taken at Sam’s Bottle Shop in South Durham. All photos are by ADK and unedited
We’ve been staying in all this week. The weather hasn’t been terrible, but my little man has been down with the sickies. Its not been very pleasant overall, but the upside of staying in is that we get to putter around the house doing things like baking pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and brownies. I’m going to gain 5 lbs well before the holidays this year!
I love Bun’s Oooh Face!
Its been raining around here. A lot. So much that we have had to stay housebound the past few mornings. Its not all bad though, plenty of snuggling on the couch and watching movies and playing cars, and looking out of windows. I want to say that because I was home I got my house whipped into shape, but no I didn’t. It still looks like we just moved in. I’m hopeless.
But when it stops raining and it is time to kick off the blankets and the boots and just run and run and run outside.
Nothing makes Bun happier than rolling around the grass these days.
Scenes from the past few days:
These two photos are my favorite. This is what two looks like to me on a good day. When there has been good naps, and good meals and no tantrums, Bun and I get to enjoy moments like this.
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Hands in his pockets is a new thing for fun. He is trying to put his hands down everyone’s pockets.A few years down the line, this might be a bit of a problem, but lately its cute!
I love this little boy so much that sometimes I fear that my heart cannot bear such brutality. I try to remember this on days like today, when he has a cold and he is cranky, bossy, rude and demanding, when I’m snappy and short and impatient. But when he is in bed, asleep and I have calmed down his nerves and mine, and I look through our pictures from my camera and I just want to sit and cry at how quickly all this is passing.
Today, I looked up as he followed J down the stairs and he looked like a kid, not my baby, not a toddler- a kid. In his navy shorts and a bandaid on his finger and scrapes on his knee, there he was – a little boy. And with every fibre of my body, I willed time to pause.
He got down the stairs and called out “Mommy” in his sweet 2 year old voice and just like that he was my baby again. At least for today.
The title is from the last two lines of W.B Yeats A Cradle Song
A Cradle Song
The angels are stooping
Above your bed;
They weary of trooping
With the whimpering dead.
God’s laughing in Heaven
To see you so good;
The Sailing Seven
Are gay with His mood.
I sigh that kiss you,
For I must own
That I shall miss you
When you have grown
———-William Butler Yeats
Photo by the awesome J
As much as I adore spending time with my toddler and also as much as I like having the Parents around to hang out, it is so nice to have weekends that are filled with friends. This weekend we got to catch up with most of our good friends around town, being grown ups and still taking the toddler along.
Saturday, we spent our afternoon at Fullsteam Brewery a place I’ve mentioned before because its one of our favorite places in Durham, and I think it does a great job of capturing Durham’s current scene. We met up with our friends and their kids. The kids socialized, the grown ups socialized, beer was consumed, tacos and samosas sampled from the food trucks parked nearby and an overall sense of saturday-ness prevailed. Bonus: I dressed up and got out of my mom summer uniform of capri/shorts and tee.
Sunday, we got to see mor friends and watch football (Yaaay Cowboys!!! Booo Panthers), make slime with the kids, eat pizza on a friends deck and enjoy the slight chill thats been hanging in air at dusk lately.
My stink eye for Bratty Bun
My only gripe with sunday was that my kid was being a total S%$&head. I think we are entering a new era of toddlerhood- there was hitting, grabbing and all around unpleasantness from Avi when it came to playing with the other kids. I wonder what happened to my sweet little boy who was never grabby about toys and would walk away from a conflic? I hope its something he and I can work through because it is absolutely horrible to be that kid’s mom. But I’m hopeful, that these are just some growing pains that we’ll have to both go through. I don’t want to completely crush his spirit but Hitting and grabbing are not ok in my book of discipline
I’m linking this up with Mandy from The Haps, Stepping Out Saturday Linky, since I was so happy for dressing up!
This brightened up my gloomy morning. I absolutely love his sweet little voice and I love how he sings with so much emotion! You are my Sunshine is a part of our nightly songs routine.I have four that I have to sing every night before bedtime.
Bun had his first playground scuffle this week. A little girl his age smacked him and pulled his hair. He was stunned and didn’t hit back or cry. Her mother smacked her and yelled which made her cry. He was worried at her wails.
Later when I put him in the car seat to leave the playground, I told him it was okay if he tells someone to stop hitting him. He said “Yeah, I no cry”
This boy of mine is so brave. I wonder where he gets it. He makes my heart burst with pride every day!
Is there anything cuter than a toddler eating a pink cupcake?
Its been a quiet week around here.Bun and I haven’t had too many exciting outdoor adventures, but we have spent a lot of time snuggling. And hugs from a snuggly warm toddler is one of the best feelings in the world
Also, everyday Bun amazes me with how much he is talking. Sometimes I can’t believe that I’m having real conversations with him. Usually he says phrases that he has heard me say and repeats them in the right context and I am so shocked that I feel the need to text J or my mom and share immediately. Almost like if I didn’t record it, it mustn’t have happened.
Some faves of this week:
Bun: (wearing his conductor hat) I conductor mama
Me: That is neat. What do conductors say
Bun: Hello, Ride the Train please
I was expecting him to say “all aboard” or “choo choo” but no his conductor tells passengers to ride the train please.
At target, while I hold up a shirt for him
Me: What do you think, will this be cute for Valentine’s day?
Bun: With these pants?
I don’t think he really understands what “with these pants” means, but I realized he has heard me say this phrase a lot when I’m getting ready or getting him ready.
Other little things making me happy right now
– J bought me chocolates as a belated valentine’s day treat. And I love that he got it at 50%off. I love when he is frugal like that
– I had coffee for the first time this week a) because I finally felt better and I was actually motivated enough to make it! Coffee is one of my greatest pleasures
– I have been running enough that not running this week has been nagging me. My body notices it and it makes me happy to know that I have created a healthy habit for myself.
– V-day cupcakes and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies from my mom on v-day. It so cheered us up from our sickie induced misery.
Nothing makes me sadder than seeing Bun sick! The snuggles are nice, but its heart breaking to hear him say “Mamma I lie down” or “Mamma, I sleep” at 9:30 am on a bright sunny day- prime playing and romping time.
I’m lucky though that he doesn’t get sick that often and today it looks like we might be on the tail end of this round of cold/fever grossness. At least if he can fight off this nasty cough that he has.
Feel better soon my Avi man- The sun is shining, the birds are out, Layla is looking for you and the back deck awaits your arrival
This is not the Valentine’s day I had planned for. No hearts anywhere. I tried making Bun a heart shaped egg but he rejected it like he has been rejecting most food. We are sick, Bun, J and I so all three of us are spending the day indoors sniffling and bundled up and watching way too much tv
We are not going out to dinner, we are not exchanging valentine’s and I had to cancel Bun’s valentine’s day party. But its okay, because, there will be dinner this weekend and a cupcake for Bun tomorrow and many more parties to come. Because I’m lucky enough that I get much more than valentine’s and hearts from these two boys of mine. Today, and everyday.
Happy Valentine’s Day. May yours be less snot filled than ours
Orange You Grape 